A few days had passed, and like Eijiro predicted, everyone returned home. Nozome, Chiaki, Harumi and Maemi were all staying in the extra guest bedrooms in the Sohma house. Tohru was sleeping soundly in her bed, and Kyou had been at her side watching her. He waited for the terrifying sight of her struggling to awaken, so he could save her. Tohru started to talk in her sleep, and Kyou moved closer to hear what she was saying. His ear was almost pressed against her lips, she whispered. . .
"Kyou. . .I love you, too. . .I always have. And when I found out. . ." She stopped. Kyou wanted to know what she was going to say. Tohru's eyes opened with Kyou's ear close to her lips. She smiled a bit, hugging Kyou to her. He didn't transform. . . What was going on? This happened before, too. Why didn't he transform? Then, Kyou heard the faint sound of the phone ring from downstairs, so he went downstairs to answer, but Shigure beat him to it. He listened to the conversation.
"Hello?" Shigure asked. Kyou couldn't hear the other voice, but by the twisted expression on Shigure's face, he figured it might have been Akito Sohma on the other end.
"U. . .Um. Yes. She's here, but she's sleeping right now." Shigure answered, his eyes never softening.
Kyou leaned in a bit to listen, almost falling off the steps, but he regained his balance. Kyou looked around the corner, seeing Shigure set the phone down and start coming his way.
"What are you doing, Dog?" Kyou asked coldly.
"What Akito asked me to. Waking Tohru-kun up." Kyou tried grabbing Shigure's wrist, but Shigure pulled away too quickly.
"Let her sleep. It's been a while since she's had a good rest." Kyou replied.
"Akito wants her to be awake. He wants to talk to her. Do you want him to be angry?" Shigure whispered harshly. Kyou could never remember Shigure ever being this cold, so perhaps Akito had threatened him somehow. . .
"Fine. Go." Kyou said, watching Shigure go into Tohru's room. But she was already awake, by the sound of her cheery voice greeting Shigure.
"Akito's on the phone, Tohru-kun. . .He wishes to speak to you." Shigure said. Kyou scoffed a bit, walking downstairs to get the phone.
"Akito?" Kyou asked.
"Where is that girl? I wished to speak with her, not you, Outcast. . ." Akito answered coldly. This made Kyou cringe, wishing he could reach through the phone to strangle him.
"She's getting out of bed. What do you want to talk to her about? You better tel---" Kyou started.
"Or else you'll do what? Remember, I am much stronger than you." Akito said, Kyou could tell he was amused by this by the tone of his voice. Kyou cringed again as Tohru came down the stairs.
"Here's Tohru." Kyou said, harshly shoving the phone into Tohru's open hand.
"Hello?" Tohru asked shyly, waiting for a reply. Kyou leaned to try to listen.
"Miss Tohru. . .I have a few words I wish to say to you. Please come by the Sohma Estate. Alone, if you will." Tohru gasped a bit before nodding as if Akito could see her do so. She hung up the phone and turned to Kyou, and an interested Shigure.
"Akito-kun wishes me to go to the Sohma Estate. He wishes to talk to me. . .The thing is. . .He wants me to go alone." Tohru said, saying it all in one breath.
"Ain't no way in hell I'm letting you be alone with him!" Kyou yelled. Chiaki, Maemi, Nozome, Harumi, and Yuki all came out of their rooms.
"What's the matter, Kyou. . .?" Chiaki asked. Nozome and Harumi nodded. "You woke us up." they said in unison.
"Sorry. But I ain't lettin' Tohru go to the Sohma Estate alone."
"Tohru? Did Akito summon you to go there?" Yuki said in a soft voice, messing his hair with his hand.
"Uh. Yes. He wanted me to go alone." Tohru said.
"Well then. . ." Maemi said groggily. "You can't go alone. But I'm going back to bed." Tohru nodded a bit.
"Sleep well, then. . ." Tohru said politely.
"Anyways. You are not going to be alone with him. I'm going with you." Kyou said in a determined tone.